AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 16 April 1984 (16.04.84); original claims 1 to 5, 8 to 14, 16, 21 to 23, 26 to 28, 31 to 36, 40, 46,
48 and 49 amended; other claims unchanged (59 pages)]
1. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery; a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis; and ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction.
2. The ratchet wrench of Claim 1 wherein said drive member defines a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said ratchet means including: a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head; means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the user of the wrench, said means for moving the pawl between a first and a second position relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving the pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of
teeth on the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
3. The ratchet wrench of Claim 1 wherein said drive member has at least one inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including: first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon; pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel the rotational axis; spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and acting between said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the head and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the opposite direction about the rotational axis, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and ratchet teeth on the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the
opposite direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the first direction about the rotational axis; and an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, the hole through the annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture through the drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member for contacting the first pawl to cam the first pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head and a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, pivotal motion of the annular reverser plate selectively camming one of said first and second pawls away from the head to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the head to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selected direction.
4. The ratchet wrench of Claim 1 further comprising a quick release mechanism for releasing the socket from the drive portion, including: a cylindrical member mounted on the drive member for limited movement along the rotational axis with respect to the drive member, the aperture through the cylindrical member forming a portion of the aperture through the drive portion, the cylindrical member having a finger engaging surface thereon; and at least one resilient spring member extending from said cylindrical member along the drive portion in a notch formed in the drive portion of the drive member, said resilient spring member having a socket engaging surface extending out of the notch for resiliently engaging the socket to secure the socket on the drive portion, the drive portion having a camming surface thereon so that movement of the cylindrical member in one direction along the rotational axis with respect to the drive member through contact by an operator pushing the finger engaging surface of the cylindrical member cams the resilient spring member out of engagement with the socket to permit removal of the socket.
5. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its periphery; a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to said handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the rotational axis; a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head; and means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the user of the wrench for reversing the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratchet wrench so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage with the pawl wedged between the slide surface and wall of the head when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member about
the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means further including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving the pawl to a second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head with the pawl wedged between the slide surface and wall of the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
6. The ratchet wrench of Claim 5 further comprising means for securing a socket onto the drive member and means for deactivating said means for securing to permit the socket to be removed from the drive member.
7. The ratchet wrench of Claim 5 wherein said drive member further includes a drive portion for connection to a socket to rotate the socket, the aperture being formed through the drive portion, said drive portion having an outer surface of noncircular cross section for connection to a socket and an inner surface of noncircular cross section for connection to a socket.
8. A quick release mechanism for releasing a socket from a wrench, the wrench having a handle and drive member mounted within the handle for rotation about an axis, the drive member having an aperture through its center and a drive portion having an outer surface and an inner surface, each surface for engagement with a socket, the aperture extending through the drive portion, the inner surface surrounding the aperture, comprising: a cylindrical member mounted on the drive member for movement along the axis with respect to the drive member, the aperture through the cylindrical member forming a portion of the aperture through the drive portion, the cylindrical member having a finger engaging surface; and at least one resilient spring member extending from an end of the cylindrical portion along the drive portion in a notch formed in the drive portion of the drive member, said spring member having a socket engaging surface extending out of the notch through one of said outer and inner surfaces for resiliently engaging a socket engaging said one of said outer and inner surfaces to secure the socket on the drive portion, the drive portion of the drive member having a camming surface thereon so that movement of the cylindrical member in one direction along the axis with respect to the drive member cams the resilient spring member out of engagement with the socket to permit removal of the socket.
9. The quick release mechanism of Claim 8 wherein the quick release mechanism has at least two resilient spring members, each resilient spring
member extending along the drive portion in a notch formed in the drive portion, one spring member having a socket engaging surface for engaging sockets contacting the outer surface of the drive portion and the other spring member having a socket engaging surface for engaging sockets contacting the inner surface of the drive portion.
10. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its entire periphery; a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member having an inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth of the handle; at least one pawl having ratchet teeth formed thereon; a pin for pivotally mounting said pawl in the inset of the drive member; spring means acting between said drive member and said pawl for urging the ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the pawl and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth prevents relative rotation between the drive member and the handle in a first direction about the axis; and an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member thereon for camming the pawl to separate the ratchet teeth on the pawl and head to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in the first direction about the axis.
11. The ratchet wrench of Claim 10 wherein the drive member has a second inset in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the head, a second pawl having ratchet teeth thereon, a second pin for pivotally mounting said second pawl in said second inset of the drive member and second spring means acting between said drive member and said second pawl for urging the ratchet teeth of said second pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth of the head prevent relative rotation between the head and drive member in a first direction about the axis and engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and ratchet teeth of the head prevent rotation in the opposite direction about the axis, said annular reverser plate having a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, said annular reverser plate permitting selective disengagement of the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls to permit rotation between the head and drive member in a desired direction about the axis.
12. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its entire periphery; a drive member for mounting into said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said drive member further defining a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface having first and second ends, said drive member having a drive portion operably connected with the fastener so that joint rotation of the drive member and fastener occurs, the drive member forming an aperture therethrough extending along the axis; a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth, the first and second sets of ratchet teeth being in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head; a resilient member extending through the curvilinear notch and secured to the pawl; means for moving the resilient member between the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch; means for urging the resilient member against the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch when the resilient member is proximate the first and second ends respectively; and movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient
member so that when the resilient member is at the first end, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the head, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engaging the ratchet teeth on the head and preventing motion of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction about the axis while permitting the ratchet teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the axis, and when the resilient member is adjacent the second end, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the head, said second set of ratchet teeth engaging the ratchet teeth on the head to prevent the handle from rotating in the opposite direction about the axis relative to the drive member while permitting the teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member.
13. The ratchet wrench of Claim 12 for use with a socket for rotating the fastener, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, the drive portion having two notches extending parallel the axis, said ratchet wrench further comprising a quick release assembly including: a cylindrical member mounted in the drive member for limited movement along the axis of rotation of the drive member with respect to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface; and first and second resilient arms each extending from a first end of the cylindrical member and extending through one of the notches in the drive portion, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging portion and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the ratchet wrench, each of said notches having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the cylindrical member is moved along the axis with respect to the drive portion by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arms to move a socket contacting surfaces out of engagement with the socket on the wrench to release the socket.
14. A wrench for use with sockets for rotating a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, said wrench comprising: a handle; and a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through a socket when the socket is received on the wrench permitting the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion.
15. The wrench of Claim 14 wherein each of the inner and outer surface cross sections are hexagonal.
16. A wrench for use with a socket for rotating a fastener, said wrench comprising: a handle; and a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, each of said inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to said drive member; a release member mounted on said wrench for limited movement along the first direction relative to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface thereon; and first and second resilient arms, each extending from a first end of the release member, said drive portion being formed with first and second notches extending along the first direction opening through the outer and inner surfaces, respectively, said first and second resilient arms extending into the first and second notches, respectively, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the drive portion of the wrench, each of said notches having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the release member is moved along the first
direction relative to the drive member by an operator pushing on the release member to deflect the resilient arms to move the socket contacting surfaces out of engagement with a socket on the wrench to release the socket.
17. The wrench of Claim 14 wherein the drive member is mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis, said wrench further including ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
18. The wrench of Claims 16 wherein the drive member is mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis, said wrench further including ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
19. The wrench of Claim 14 wherein the wrench is a ratchet wrench.
20. The wrench of Claim 14 wherein the wrench is a breaker bar wrench.
21. The wrench of Claim 17 wherein said handle has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including: a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the handle; and means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the operator of the wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure and moves the second structure so that the first structure moves the pawl to the first position so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member about the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving the pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and the
pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to move the first structure so that the pawl is in the second position, the pawl in the second position engaging the second set of teeth of the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
22. The wrench of Claim 17 wherein said handle has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, said drive member being mounted to the handle for rotation about the rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including: first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon; pivot pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel the rotational axis; spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the opposite direction about the rotational axis, engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl
and the ratchet teeth of the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the first direction about the rotational axis; and an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, the hole through the annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture through the drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member for contacting the first pawl to cam the pawl out of engagement with the ratchetteeth on the head and a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, pivotal motion of said annular reverser plate selectively camming one of said first and second pawls to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selected direction about the rotational axis.
23. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof; and a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to the drive member, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portions having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through the socket when the socket is received on the wrench which permits the object to extend through the drive member and drive portions when rotating a fastener.
24. The wrench assembly of Claim 23 further comprising a socket, said socket having a wrench engaging portion thereon, the outer surface of the wrench engaging portion having a hexagonal cross section and adapted for engagement with the inner surface of the drive portion of the drive member, said socket further having a fastener engaging portion for engaging a fastener.
25. The wrench assembly of Claim 23 further comprising a socket, the socket having a wrench engaging portion defining an aperture extending into the wrench engaging portion, the walls of the aperture having a hexagonal cross section and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the drive portion of the drive member, the socket further having a fastener engaging portion for engaging a fastener.
26. The wrench assembly of Claim 24 further including an extension, the extension having a wrench engaging portion having an outer surface with a hexagonal cross section adapted for engagement with the inner surface of the drive portion of the drive member in the wrench assembly, the extension further having a socket engaging portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the socket engaging portion of the extension having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, the outer and inner surfaces of said socket engaging portion of the extension being substantially identical to the outer and inner surfaces on the drive portion of the drive member, respectively.
27. The wrench assembly of Claim 25 further including an extension, the extension having a wrench engaging portion having an outer surface with a hexagonal cross section adapted for engagement with the inner surface of the drive portion of the drive member in the wrench assembly, the extension further having a socket engaging portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the socket engaging portion of the extension having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, the outer and inner surfaces of said socket engaging portion of the extension being substantially identical to the outer and inner
surfaces on the drive portion of the drive member, respectively.
28. The wrench assembly of Claim 23 further comprising: a member mounted on the drive member for limited movement along the rotational axis relative to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface thereon; and first and second resilient arms each extending from the member, the drive portion having first and second slots formed therein extending parallel the rotational axis, the first slot opening through the outer surface of the drive portion and the second slot opening through the inner surface of the drive portion, the first and second resilient arms extending through the first and second slots, respectively, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging surface and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the wrench, each of the slots having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the member is moved along the rotational axis relative to the drive member by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arms to move the socket engaging surfaces out of engagement with a socket on the wrench to release the socket.
29. The wrench assembly of Claim 23 wherein the handle has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough, the drive member being mounted through
the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a rotational axis, said wrench assembly further comprising wedging means for selectively wedging the drive member to the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
30. The wrench assembly of Claim 28 wherein the handle has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough, the drive member being mounted through the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a rotational axis, said wrench further comprising ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
31. The wrench assembly of Claim 29 wherein the wall of the handle defining the cylindrical aperture has ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, the drive member further defining a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface, said wedging means including: a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle; a resilient member extending through the curvilinear notch and secured to the pawl; means for moving the resilient member between first and second ends of the curvilinear notch, movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient member so that when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the handle, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent motion of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction about the rotational axis while disengaging to permit the ratchet teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, when said means for moving said resilient member moves the resilient member adjacent to the second end of the curvilinear notch, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent the handle from rotating in the opposite direction
relative to the drive member while disengaging to permit the teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member; and the resilient member urging the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action and the resilient member urging the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the second end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action.
32. The wrench of Claim 29 wherein the wall defining the cylindrical aperture has ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said wedging means including: first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon; pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel the rotational axis; spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the handle to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the first pawl and handle disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the opposite direction, the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle
relative to the drive member in the opposite direction while the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the first direction; and camming means for selectively camming one of said first and second pawls about its pivot axis to disengage the ratchet teeth on the cammed pawl and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selected direction.
33. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a first member defining an annular distribution of ratchet teeth centered about a first axis; a second member cooperating with the first member for relative rotation therebetween about the first axis, said second member having a slide surface formed thereon in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the first member; a drive portion connected to one of said first and second members, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive portion further defining an aperture extending therethrough along said first axis, said one of said first and second members to which said drive portion is connected also having an aperture therethrough along the first axis; a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the second member and ratchet teeth on the first member and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the first member; and means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the operator of the ratchet wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to reverse the
ratcheting action so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member engage when the first member is rotated in a first direction about the first axis relative to the second member for joint rotation of the first and second members, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member to slip past each other when the first member is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the second member, said means for moving the pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and said pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the first member so that joint rotation of the first and second members occurs when the first member is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the second member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member to move past each other when the first member is rotated in the first direction relative to the second member, the member not connected to the drive portion comprising a handle for grasping by the operator.
34. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon; a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to said handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said drive member further defining a first notch extending into the drive member and opening adjacent the slide surface, said drive member further having a spring recess formed therein and a second notch extending through the drive member opening adjacent the spring recess; a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head; a resilient spring positioned between the spring recess and head; and a reverser member mounted on said drive member for pivotal motion about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said reverser member having a pin extending through the second notch in the drive member and engaging the spring, the reverser member further having means for moving the pawl extending through the first notch adjacent the slide surface
and connected to the pawl, the pin on the reverser member being movable between first and second ends of the second notch adjacent the spring recess by pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis, the spring acting to urge the pin against the first and second end of the second notch when the pin is proximate the first and second ends of the second notch, respectively, pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis until the pin contacts the first end of the second notch moving said means for moving the pawl so that the means for moving the pawl moves the pawl with respect to the drive member to a first position so that the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the drive member with the spring acting through the reverser member and means for moving the pawl to urge the ratchet teeth into engagement to cause a ratcheting action, pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis until the pin contacts the second end of the second notch causing the means for moving the pawl to move the pawl to a second position engaging the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the drive member while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet
teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member, the spring exerting a force on the reverser member and means for moving the pawl when the pawl is in the second position to urge the ratchet teeth into engagement to cause a ratcheting action.
35. The ratchet wrench of Claim 34 wherein said means for moving the pawl comprises a resilient spring connected to the pawl.
36. The ratchet wrench of Claim 34 wherein said pawl has a notch formed therein between the first and second sets of ratchet teeth, said means for moving the pawl comprising a rigid pin, said rigid pin extending into the notch formed in the pawl.
37. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery; a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener when operably connected; and ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the rotational direction opposite the ratcheting direction, said drive member defining first and second slide surfaces thereon facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said ratchet means including:
(a) a first pawl positioned between the first slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
(b) a second pawl positioned between the second slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
(c) means for moving the first pawl between first and second positions relative to the first slide surface and the second pawl between first and
second positions relative to the second slide surface so that in the first positions, the first set of ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, rotation of the handle in the opposite direction disengaging the first set of teeth on the first pawl from the ratchet teeth on the head and permitting engagement of the first set of ratchet teeth of the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head to permit joint rotation of the handle and drive member in the first direction, the presence of the first and second pawls reducing the angle of rotation of the handle in the opposite direction relative to the drive member necessary to obtain pawl engagement than is possible by use of only a single pawl, movement of the first and second pawls into the second position permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on one of the pawls and ratchet teeth on the head to engage when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, rotation of the handle in the first direction disengaging the second set of teeth on said one of the pawls from the ratchet teeth on the head and permitting engagement of the second set of teeth of the other of said pawls to permit joint rotation of the handle and drive member in the opposite direction, the use of the first and second pawls reducing the angle of rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the drive member necessary to obtain pawl engagement than is possible by use of only a single pawl.
38. The ratchet wrench of Claim 37 wherein radial lines extending from the rotational axis and intersecting the first and second slide surfaces at a point closest to the rotational axis intersect the first and second slide surfaces at different angles, so that the pawls do not simultaneously engage ratchet teeth on the head.
39. The ratchet wrench of Claim 38 wherein the difference in angles of intersection of the radial lines and the first and second slide surfaces is the product of one half the number of ratchet teeth on the head times 360° to provide for engagement of a pawl with ratchet teeth on the head at angular intervals of the product of one half the number of ratchet teeth on the head times 360° when the handle is moved relative to the drive member.
40. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its periphery; a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener when operably connected; and ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the rotational direction opposite the ratcheting direction, said drive member defining first and second slide surfaces thereon facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said ratchet means including:
(a) a first pawl positioned between the first slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
(b) a second pawl positioned between the second slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
(c) means for moving the first pawl between first and second positions relative to the first slide surface and the second pawl between first and second positions relative to the second slide surface so that in the first positions, the first set of ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, rotation of the handle in the opposite direction disengaging the first set of teeth on the first and second pawls from the ratchet teeth on the head to permit the handle to move in the opposite direction relative to the drive member, movement of the first and second pawls into the second position permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on said first and second pawls and ratchet teeth on the head to engage when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, rotation of the handle in the first direction disengaging the second set of teeth on said first and second pawls from the ratchet teeth on the head and permitting the handle to rotate in the first direction relative to the drive member, the use of the first and second pawls to simultaneously engage ratchet teeth on the head providing a stronger ratcheting
mechanism than would be possible using only a single pawl and the sets of ratchet teeth on the first and second pawl being shaped and engagable with the ratchet teeth on the head so that as the force exerted between a set of ratchet teeth on a pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head increases, the angle of contact between at least one ratchet tooth of the set and a ratchet tooth on the head will cause the pawl to be wedged more tightly between the drive member and head to resist disengagement of the pawl from the head.
41. The ratchet wrench of Claim 40 wherein said first and second slide surfaces are planar, radial lines extending from the rotational axis to intersect the planes at the point on the planes closest to the rotational axis intersecting the planes at right angles.
42. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its periphery; a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to said handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener when operably connected, said drive member defining a first slide surface and a second slide surface, each slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, each of said slide surfaces lying in a plane, the angle of intersection between the planes and radial lines extending from the rotational axis to intersect each plane at its closest point being different, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along a rotational axis; a first pawl positioned between the first slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the head and a second pawl positioned between the second slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the head, each of said pawls defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head; and means for moving the first pawl between first and second positions relative the first slide surface and for moving the second pawl between first and second positions relative to the second slide surface
so that when the pawls are in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage with the first pawl wedged between the first slide surface and wall of the head when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative the drive member about the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, rotation of handle in the opposite direction disengaging the first set of ratchet teeth on the first pawl and subsequently permitting engagement of the first set of ratchet teeth on the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head, continued rotation of the handle in the opposite direction alternately permitting engagement of the first set of ratchet teeth of the first pawl and the first set of ratchet teeth on the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head to increase the number of pawl engagement positions possible than with use of only a single pawl, movement of the first and second pawls into the second position permitting engagement of the second set of teeth on one of said pawls and the ratchet teeth on the head with said one of said pawls wedged between the adjacent slide surface and wall of the head when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs, movement of the handle in the first direction relative to the drive member disengaging the second set of teeth on said one of said pawls and subsequently permitting engagement of the second set of teeth on the other of said pawls, continued rotation of the handle in the first direction alternately permitting engagement of said one of said
pawls and said other of said pawls with the ratchet teeth on the head to increase the number of pawl engagement positions over that possible with a single pawl.
43. The ratchet wrench of Claim 42 wherein said drive member further includes a drive portion for connection to a socket to rotate the socket, the aperture being formed through the drive portion, said drive portion having an outer surface of noncircular cross section for connection to a socket and an inner surface of noncircular cross section for connection to a socket.
44. The ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its entire periphery; a drive member for mounting into said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle, said drive member defining a first slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head and a second slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said first and second slide surfaces being planar, the planes in which the first and second slide surfaces lie intersecting radial lines extending from the axis to the closest point on the planes at different angles, said drive member further defining a pawl pin notch proximate each of the slid.e surfaces having first and second ends, said drive member having a drive portion for operable connection with the fastener so that joint rotation of the drive member and fastener occurs when operably connected, the drive member forming an aperture therethrough extending along the axis; a first pawl positioned between the first slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth on the head and a second pawl positioned between the second slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth on the head, each pawl defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth, said first and second sets of ratchet teeth being in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
a reverser plate, said reverser plate having at least one reverser pin extending therefrom; a main spring positioned on the drive member for rotational motion about the axis relative to the drive member, the said at least one reverser pin determining the position of the main spring; a first pawl pin extending through the pawl pin notch proximate the first slide surface and into the first pawl and a second pawl pin extending through the pawl pin notch proximate the second slide surface and into the second pawl, the reverser plate being movable to move the reverser pin and causing movement of the main spring to move the first and second pawl pins between the first and second ends of the pawl pin notches and thereby sliding the first and second pawls in the direction of movement of the pawl pins so that when the pawl pins abut the first end of the pawl pin notches, the first set of ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls are proximate the ratchet teeth on the head, rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction engaging the first set of teeth of the first pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head for joint rotation of the handle and the drive member, movement of the handle in the opposite direction relative to the drive member disengaging the first set of teeth on the first pawl and permitting the first set of teeth on the second pawl to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for joint rotation of the handle and drive member in the first direction, the first set of ratchet teeth on the first pawl and second pawl alternately engaging and disengaging the ratchet teeth on the head to increase the frequency of ratchet engagements as the
handle is moved in the opposite direction relative to the drive member, movement of the reverser plate to move the first and second pawl pins abutting the second end of the notches moving the first and second pawls so that the second set of teeth of the first and second pawls are proximate the ratchet teeth in the head, rotation of the handle in the opposite direction relative to the drive member moving the second set of teeth of one of said pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head for joint rotation of the handle and drive member in the opposite direction, rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction disengaging the second set of ratchet teeth on said one of the pawls and permitting engagement of the second set of teeth on the other of said pawls with the ratchet teeth on the head for joint rotation of the handle and head in the opposite direction, the second set of teeth of said pawls alternately engaging the ratchet teeth on the head to increase the frequency of pawl engagement as the handle is rotated relative to the drive member; and means acting on the reverser pin for urging the main spring to resiliently hold the first and second pawl pins against the first end of the notch when the pawl pins are proximate the first end and urging the main spring to resiliently hold the first and second pawl pins against the second end of the notch when the pawl pins are proximate the second end.
45. The ratchet wrench of Claim 44 wherein the difference in angles of intersection of the planes and radial lines is an angle of 180° divided by the number of ratchet teeth on the head.
46. An adapter for use in adapting a drive member having an inner surface of hexagonal cross section, said cross section adapted for receiving a hex socket and a conventional socket having an aperture of square cross section for receiving a square drive, said drive member having a socket locking feature, comprising: a hexagonal section having an outer surface of hexagonal cross section for being received on said inner surface of said drive member, said outer surface having a groove formed therein extending about the entire periphery of the hexagonal section for being engaged by the socket locking feature of the drive member; and a square drive portion having a square cross section for entering the aperture in the conventional socket for permitting the conventional socket to be rotated by said drive member.
47. An adapter for use with a drive member having a drive portion of square cross section, a hex socket having an inner portion of hexagonal cross section and a hex socket having an outer portion of hexagonal cross section, comprising: a driven portion having an aperture therein of square cross section adapted to receive the drive portion of the drive member; and a combined male/female hex drive portion having an aperture of hexagonal cross section for engaging the hex socket having an outer portion of hexagonal cross section and an outer surface of hexagonal cross sction for engaging the hex socket having an inner portion of hexagonal cross section.
48. A wrench assembly, comprising: a wrench including a handle and a drive member mounted on the handle, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces of hexagonal cross section, each surface adapted for receiving a socket; and a socket including a first portion having an aperture therein adapted for engagement with a member to be rotated and a second portion having an outer surface of hexagonal cross section adapted for engaging the inner surface of said drive member and further being adapted for engagement with conventional box and open end wrenches.
49. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, comprising: a handle having a head at one end thereof; a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member further having an aperture formed through the inner and outer surfaces and a reduced thickness portion extending from one end of the aperture; and resilient spring means for engagement about the reduced thickness portion of the drive portion and having a first resilient arm extending into the aperture having a portion extending out of the aperture and through the outer surface of the drive portion for engagement with a socket received on the outer surface of the drive member to frictionally secure the socket to the drive member, said spring means further having a second resilient arm extending into the aperture having a portion extending out of the aperture and through the inner surface of the drive portion for engaging a socket received by the inner surface of the drive member to frictionally secure the socket to the drive member.
50. A resilient member for use in securing a socket to a combined male/female drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface of non-circular cross section and an aperture defining an inner surface of non-circular cross section, the drive portion further having an aperture formed through the surfaces and a reduced thickness portion extending from one end of the aperture, said resilient member comprising:
(a) a first portion shaped to fit about the reduced thickness portion and having inset portions to retain the resilient member on the drive portion;
(b) an outwardly extending portion extending from an inset portion into the aperture and through the outer surface for frictionally engaging a socket; and
(c) an inwardly extending portion extending from an inset portion into the aperture and through the inner surface for frictionally engaging a socket.
51. An improved power wrench of the type having a drive member for rotating a fastener, the improvement wherein said drive member comprises: a drive portion on the drive member with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a hex socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a hex socket.
52. An improved screwdriver of the type having a drive member for rotating a fastener, said drive member comprising: a drive portion on the drive member with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a hex socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a hex socket.